Falling

Molar pregnancy is an uncommon condition that can follow conception. It is a form of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). In rare cases molar pregnancy tissues can persist and without treatment could become cancerous.

Patients may initially experience molar pregnancy in the same way as any other pregnancy, with similar bodily symptoms, expectations and care pathways. They will also have a positive pregnancy test, with ‘the pregnancy hormone’ (hCG) produced in high levels. This hormone is regularly monitored thought treatment and follow-up until it falls to normal - which some patients experience as reaching ‘zero’.  

This short film presents three women’s experiences of molar pregnancy. It captures the shock and confusion that can accompany diagnosis of this little-known condition, feelings of being in ‘limbo’ between pregnancy and disease, and the exhaustion of regular monitoring. It ends with hope as they move beyond the condition, with close to 100% of UK patients cured.

The film contains discussion of pregnancy loss which some viewers may find upsetting.

A collaboration between Emily Ross (Sociological Studies) and Northover&Brown.